Vitol has announced that it will deliver specialised biofuel bunker barges to Singapore in early 2024. Through its subsidiaries (V-Bunkers and Vitol Bunkers), the company will be able to offer a range of biofuel blends such as B24, B30, and even up to B100.
Currently, all vessels delivering bunker fuel in Singapore are oil tankers. These are permitted to only supply a fuel blended with biofuel up to 25% concentration. Any greater and IMO regulations stipulate a ‘IMO Type 2 chemical tanker’ ship is required. As a result, the first IMO-Type 2 barge ordered by V-Bunkers will be delivered in January, to be followed by several more throughout 2024. Depending on demand, these vessels could also be upgraded to supply methanol.
The delivery of specialist barges is an exciting development for Vitol and its sustainability offerings in Asia. As the shipping industry steps up its pursuit of decarbonisation solutions, barges that can deliver bunker fuel with a much higher concentration of biofuels represents a material step in the right direction.
… said Mike Muller, Head of Vitol Asia
Vitol also reminds that, in Singapore, volumes of B24 biofuel have increased, with sales of more than 50kt in August, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Furthermore, Vitol adds that year-to-date sales are already more than double those in 2022.
